Residence

Family reunification (spouses and children)

Spouses and minor children can join family members in Germany under certain conditions; the visa is applied for at the German mission abroad, with the local immigration office involved.

Last updated: 5 October 2026 · Draft – not yet editorially reviewed.

Family reunification for spouses and children allows certain family members to join a person who already lives in Germany with a valid residence title. The exact route depends on who is already in Germany, whether entry visa rules apply, and whether the family member is a spouse or a child. 1 2 4 6 7

Who needs this

Spouses and minor children can generally join a person who already lives in Germany if that person has a valid residence title. 2 4 7
For spouse reunification, both spouses must usually be at least 18 years old. 2 5 6 7
For spouses, basic German language skills at level A1 are required in the general rule, but some situations have exceptions, including reunification cases with skilled workers, Blue Card holders, and certain other residence titles. 2 6 7
For children, the rules depend on age: children under 16 have no further requirements in the general rule; from age 16, there are additional conditions unless the child comes in time with the parents or a special rule applies. 2 7

Step by step

Check whether a visa is needed before entry. For many applicants, a visa for family reunification must be applied for at the German mission abroad first. Some nationalities may apply for the residence permit after entry. 1 6
Enter Germany with the correct visa, if one is required. 1 6 7
Register your address after arrival. Munich says the first step after arrival is registration at the Bürgerbüro. 6
Apply for the residence permit for family reunification before your visa or current residence title expires. Hamburg says to apply immediately after entry or at the latest 8 weeks before expiry; Munich says to apply before expiry, or within 90 days after entry if visa-free entry was possible. 4 6
Submit the required documents and attend the appointment when invited. Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, and Stuttgart all describe an online or written application followed by an appointment. 4 5 6 7

Documents

Passport or passport substitute. 3 4 5 6 7
Marriage certificate or birth certificate, depending on the family relationship. 1 3 4 5 6 7
Visa, if it was required for entry. 3 4 5 6 7
Proof of simple German language skills at A1 level, where required. 3 5 6 7
Proof of secured livelihood, such as payslips, employment confirmation, tax assessment, or proof of benefits, depending on the case. 3 4 5 6 7
Proof of sufficient housing space or housing costs, where required. 3 4 5 6 7
Proof of health insurance. 3 4 5 6 7
For foreign documents, some cities require a certified translation (beglaubigte Übersetzung) and, depending on the country, an apostille or legalisation. 4 5 6

Cost and time

Cologne: first issue 100 euros; extension 93 euros; reduced fees for some Turkish nationals; fee exemption if the person cannot support themselves without certain public benefits. 5
Hamburg: 100 euros for issue, 96 euros for an extension of up to 3 months, and 93 euros for an extension of more than 3 months. 4
Munich: 100 euros. 6
Berlin: 56 euros for first issue as a sticker, 100 euros for first issue as an electronic residence title, 49 euros or 93 euros for extensions, depending on the format; some people are exempt from fees. 3
Berlin says the electronic residence title is issued and can be picked up at least 4 weeks after the appointment. Hamburg says the electronic residence title usually takes 2 to 4 weeks after the appointment. Munich says processing can take up to 4 months. 3 4 6

Deadlines

Hamburg: apply immediately after entry or at the latest 8 weeks before your current residence title expires. 4
Munich: if visa-free entry was possible, apply within 90 days after entry; otherwise apply before the visa or residence title expires. 6

City by city

Berlin: the online application is extensive, can be paused and saved, and the fee must be paid before submission unless you are exempt. A confirmation PDF is issued after submission. 3
Hamburg: the online service is used to upload documents, and after review you receive an appointment. 4
Köln: applications can be submitted digitally; in-person visits are only by appointment and invitation. 5
München: the procedure starts with registration at the Bürgerbüro after arrival, then the residence permit application follows. 6
Stuttgart: the application can be made online, and for children aged 16 to 18 additional requirements may apply. 7